General - Ages 4-11

Fed up of feeling like the Pied Piper trailed by queues of children longer than those at rush hour on the M25, choruses of “Miss Nicholas, Miss Nicholas, Miss Nicholas”, and being tapped repeatedly, only to be asked the same questions over and again, I decided to do something to promote independence among my pupils.

The children discussed the qualities they believed constitutes an independent learner, such as having a go before asking for help and using their common sense.

I now have a batch of “I am an independent learner” certificates handed out at a ceremony in class on a Friday afternoon. I also write the children’s names up on our independent learners’ noticeboard. The children have responded brilliantly.

Charlotte Nicholas teaches at Collingwood Primary in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex.